The evening before the Pitch Competition itself, MCE has invited four successful entrepreneurs to share their ideas and start-up stories

On Friday, Aug. 18, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the Elements Event Center, guest speakers Kiersten Hathcock from Shark Tank, Paul Thomas from Google Earth, Brandon Ames with AniCell Biotech and Scott Hathcock from Moonshot at NACET will field questions and give advice on nurturing the entrepreneurial spirt.

After the presentation, attendees will be invited to the Lux Lounge next door in UltraStar Multi-tainment Center for a chance to mingle with the distinguished guests and further share stories and ideas.

The following day, the main event will happen 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., also at Elements Event Center.

The competition will consist of five participants pitching their start-up ideas to a panel of six judges. Each Participant will have four minutes and a maximum of eight visual slides to pitch their ideas to the panelists.

The panel will consist of four representatives from the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology – MCE’s parent company – and two local business leaders.

Grand prize for the competition includes $500 and help with professional branding, development and data analytics.

MCE Director Quintin Baker said the main purpose of the competition is practice. The idea, he said is to help promising, local entrepreneurs practice their pitch skills and flex their entrepreneurial muscles.

“They need a way to share their ideas and practice,” Baker said. “And this is a really great way for them to do that.”